Mangaluru/Bengaluru: Rail connectivity between Bengaluru and coastal Karnataka is set for a major upgrade with the launch of the Bengaluru–Mangaluru–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express and the commissioning of electrification along the challenging 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road ghat section.Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the inaugural service from Mangaluru Junction Friday, while PM Narendra Modi virtually launched the train and dedicated the electrified ghat section to the nation. Modi also virtually inaugurated four redeveloped railway stations in Karnataka under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including Subrahmanya Road.The inaugural special service operated between Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT), Bengaluru, and Madgaon, while another departed Mangaluru Junction for Bengaluru. Vaishnaw flagged off the one from Mangaluru and travelled to Subrahmanya Road. Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said the new service would ease travel between coastal Karnataka and Bengaluru.The electrification of the ghat section marks a significant infrastructure milestone, overcoming difficult terrain involving 57 tunnels and 49 major bridges. Vaishnaw said the work was completed despite formidable engineering challenges.RITES, which executed electrification works across approximately 182 route km in the Hassan–Mangaluru Junction section, commissioned the 55-km Sakleshpur–Subrahmanya Road stretch on Dec 29, 2025. RITES general manager Sudeep MG said the mountainous terrain, steep gradients, restricted accessibility and limited working space made the stretch particularly challenging, requiring specialised engineering, meticulous planning and extensive coordination.Vaishnaw also announced Rs 94 crore for the redevelopment of Mangaluru Central railway station and inspected ongoing works.However, the choice of Mangaluru Junction as the boarding point for the Vande Bharat has drawn objections from Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Hitarakshana Samiti, which urged railways to route the service through Mangaluru Central, citing better accessibility. The organisation also opposed shifting the departure of the Mangaluru–Yesvantpur Gomateshwara Express (16576) from 7am to 11.30am and urged railways to retain the existing schedule.
